PEORIA -- They came from Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Metamora, and places as far off as Bushnell and Heyworth on Wednesday for D.A.R.E. Day at Dozer Park.

Some 4,758 kids, armed with 4,758 questions for the Peoria Chiefs as they watched the Midwest League hosts break up a no-hitter in the seventh inning and go on to scratch out a 2-0 victory over Cedar Rapids.

How old are the players (they range in the league from 18-26), where do they come from (Chiefs have players from 11 states and three countries), and which ones have a ... pony tail?

Huh?

"A lot of work goes into this game, but it's so much fun, kids running around everywhere, having a blast," Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen said. "It's great to watch them taking it all in. D.A.R.E. is a great program, and this day is in support of that program, it actually serves as their graduation from it.

"We had even more kids coming before Tazewell County shut down its program due to funding. That's unfortunate, because we'd like to see all those kids get here again."

There were plenty who did, some 50 school and police organizations on hand, including 455 students from Woodford County D.A.R.E., 355 from Central Intermediate School, 230 from the Canton Police Department program and 220 from Lincoln Police D.A.R.E.

They saw Cedar Rapids starter Ethan Mildren go five scoreless innings and team with reliever Alex Muren to carry a no-hitter against Peoria one-out into the seventh inning.

But Chiefs right fielder Ronald Castillo sent a 1-2 pitch from Muren into the right-center gap for a double to break it up.

"He (Mildren) had a really tough slider, kept us off balance," Castillo said. "I went up there (against Muren) looking for anything to hit, and I got a low fastball."

Peoria broke up the scoreless tie when Katz slid into second on a grounder by Steve Bean to break up a potential double-play, allowing Castillo to score for a 1-0 lead.

"The pitching was solid, both sides," Chiefs manager Joe Kruzel said. "We were very fortunate to scratch out a run there. Our defense was terrific, too, made a big difference."

The Chiefs had the answer for the Kernels on the field, then afterward had answers for the kids off it.

Olivia Waddell, a 10-year-old from Lowpoint-Washburn, asked how long starter Arturo Reyes has been a pitcher.

"And I want to know what his favorite flavor of dippin' dots is," said Canton 11-year-old Jade Wells.

Bailey Culver wanted to know what his favorite food was.

Reyes looked startled for a moment, then jumped in: "Age 8 is when I started pitching, I'd have to go with Cookies 'n Cream on the dots, and my favorite food is anything grandma Soccoro makes for me."

Page 2 of 2 - Jose Vasquez, 11, from Lowpoint-Washburn, asked why the grounds crew sprayed water on the infield.

Dozer Park head groundskeeper Mike Reno was busy working on the field after the game, so Vonachen stepped up in his place.

"It's to stop the dust from blowing around, and create a softer surface to play on," he said.

Vonachen: "Well the Cubs decided they wanted to move their class-A team closer to Chicago, so they left us. The Cardinals were available, and that's a team that works great for us in central Illinois, too, and we're very lucky to have them."

Jordan Beschorner, of Lowpoint-Washburn, wanted to know about player injuries, and where was catcher Steve Bean from?

"Worst injury I've ever seen ...?" Chiefs trainer Mike Petrarca said. "Well that was a player with a team in a different league, he suffered a dislocation and fracture of his ankle. It was bad."

Said Bean: "I'm from Rockwall, Texas. It was a city of 17,000 when I was growing up, right outside Dallas. Great little baseball town."

Lizzy Silver, a 10-year-old from Canton, asked: "Why are there stirrups on the players' socks?"

That one required a veteran presence to answer.

"Back in the day, everyone wore their pants up, just under the knee," Kruzel said. "They needed some color to cover their shins between the bottom of their pants and their shoes. So it became a part of the uniform."

Class dismissed.

CHIEFS BRIEFS: Cedar Rapids first baseman Chad Christensen had his 10-game hit streak snapped. ... Chiefs left fielder Jimmy Bosco's hit streak was snapped at 7 games. .... Cedar Rapids second baseman Tanner Vavra has reached base in all 12 games he's played this season. ... The Chiefs lead the Midwest League with four shutouts.

Dave Eminian can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Check out his sports blog, Cleve's World, at pjstar.com and follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.